Crazy Kites

Doesn't this look like fractured glass!

It's the "crazy" version of my new pattern Crazy Kites. The design is available as a traditional quilt AND crazy quilt...in the same pattern. Just hop on over to Shawkl.net to get the download pdf pattern today!

I'm thinking that this would be a great pattern to do totally SCRAPPY as well...since there could be over 200 patches of unique fabrics that way. So, going to being making "kite blocks" with scraps as I get them (yes, I already have tons...but you know how they multiply!)...and when there are enough blocks...BOOM, I'll assemble as a crazy quilt. That gives me loads of new blocks to embellish as well! With the new book launching in a few weeks...that will be super convenient for new seams!

Blocks in this pattern are suitable for paper piecing as well...super fast!

Introducing -- Fiesta Stars!

Here is my newest pattern! Fiesta Stars is in the Etsy shop now. The stars are done on paper foundations..so are easy to assemble. Just print the pattern pages...trim...sew on the line and combine the pieces to create a block.

   If you love paper piecing technique...you will love working on this quilt. If you look closely at the pattern front...you will also see some hexagon shapes with the stars.  

This is for "flexibility"...and is actually a second pattern, within this first star pattern. These hexagon center blocks could be mixed with the stars or done alone as in the photo above. This block is a great way to accent a favorite fabric (you know the one...it sits on the shelf because we just can't bare to cut into it!...ha, we all have at least one fabric like that). So, us it as the hexagon center shape...and then repeat for your border fabric if you like!

Or...just use the stars, repeated...and no hexagon center blocks. Versatility! The Fiesta Flowers can be done as traditional applique or as fusible applique pieces, depending on what technique you like the best.

Hexagon Magic

Here is what I've been working on lately...a new quilt pattern "Hexagon Magic". It is available now in the Etsy Shop. There is a lot of flexibility with this pattern. I've provided five really neat (at least I think they are neat) designs which can be either combined or used as single designs. The cover for the pattern shows both of these ideas on a black foundation.   You can create each hexagon as an English Paper Piecing project or as a Traditional Quilt Piecing endeavor. Patterns for both techniques are included! 

  The pattern also has printable pages for each block, with the quantity of paper piecing units needed for that block. So, you just print these pages within the pdf pattern...and print them on cardstock or plastic (if your printer will handle these) for easy cutting out of the unique shapes.   Plus, I have included a full size layout with grid...so you can also draw your own designs. The size will match the five provided, so you can include your designs along with mine for even more crazy fun!   Plus..plus...there is a section of smaller versions of the designs...just for coloring! So, this is a great way to try out some fabric ideas using colored pencils...before you even cut the first piece of fabric.   Hugs,  

Lattice Monogram Pattern

Lately, I've been really interested in different types of monograms. You might have noticed that I've been sharing these as free patterns on my Craftsy page. Well, here is one more for you! These are lattice monograms, and can be used for lot's of embroidery filling stitches. If you reduce them, they would be adorable as pin cushions, scissor fobs, or tiny little giftees. Work a little harder and create them as goldwork on velvet! That would be spectacular!

  I decided to create a larger framed piece with silk ribbon for a special frame gifted to me. It will be completed soon and I'll show you the framed work. For now...here is the stitched part anyway!  

  I just used plain perle cotton and embroidered the letter "S" in stem stitch, then used simple straight stitches to do both directions of the lattice work...lastly, I tacked down the intersections of the lattice with teensy "x" straight stitches.  http://www.craftsy.com/user/1108892/pattern-store?_ct=fhevybu-ikrdql-fqjjuhdijehu 

This ribbon design is also included in the pattern as an oval and as a circle...in two different sizes.

Beginning of Birdhouse Village Quilt Pattern

My friend Pam and I have been wanting to do a quilt together, with embroidery designs. And, we settled on a Triple Irish Chain quilt with an embroidered border. We are doing a village of birdhouses and I spent the weekend drawing up the different buildings. Yesterday I finished some trees and topiaries...next to add a few final touches like little birdies...and we'll be ready to begin stitching! I'm going to write the instructions and fabric requirements up and this will be on Craftsy before you know it! (Hoping to get it all done by the 10th of October...or before). The collage is shown as a redwork but it could also be multi-colored.  I'm already in love with this quilt...and can't wait to get started. But first, I have three crazy quilt blocks to finish up stitching on. What do you think? Is this a quilt you'd like to do?  

Celtic Knot Quilt Pattern is completed! Finally!

  When I was living in south Alabama, I purchased a little self-published booklet (26 pages) with seven different knot style quilts in it. Frankly, most of them were ho-hum to me...but one, the first one in the booklet, really caught my attention.    It was a knot design featuring two colors and I hurriedly make a version for my daughter. Then, I taught a class on creating the quilt for a couple of years at a local quilt shop. The students wanted more than two colors of fabric...so, I redesigned the entire quilt to make the ribbon 3-colors. All of the sizes of the pieces changed and I used my Excel spreadsheets to teach by. Now, after many starts and stops over the years...it has been 15 years of teaching the design...but I finally have the pattern completely sketched and into Illustrator...then into Publisher...and finally into a PDF download pattern, available today to the public! It has been a really long time in the works! If you want to give this quilt a try...the pattern is $9.80 on Craftsy (Shawkl) or on Etsy (Shawkl).

  The pattern is 34 pages long...but don't be afraid of that. It's not difficult, but every step of the way is a photo of adding that next pattern piece...so you can't go astray if you just follow along page by page. It just took a lot of pages to show EVERY step!

To test the pattern, I asked several of my friends over on the HGTV message board to try out the pattern and help me work out any "bugs" in the pattern itself. You can ask them if they found it difficult...but all finished in record time...so I think it was pretty easy. Here are some photos of their versions so you see different ideas for color combinations.  Huge, huge THANKS to all of these lovely ladies for their invaluable help!  

Carol Anderson (Needlecrazy)  

 Patricia Borg (Kentucky Sunshine   Angela Nohe (Angela C.)

 Leoann McCann (Irish Quilt Lass)

 Sharon Shields (Ssharon334)  

Dee Tackett (Quilting Bug) The quilt fits a full or queen size bed and is extra long because a pillow topper is included in the design which allows the quilt to fold under/over the pillows and the knot design to remain in full view on the bed center. The size by the pattern is 73 x 94, you could change that by adjusting the width/length of the top section and side/bottom borders too.

  I hope you'll go check out the pattern as it has been a long journey, but one I have enjoyed traveling...and I absolutely guarantee that you will love piecing this quilt. There is a lot of cutting...but it's only strips, squares, and rectangles...no triangles! So, if you can create a log cabin...you can create this quilt. Seriously, I would not lead you astray!

I've included some "page shot" photos here so you can hopefully see how detailed (and easy) the pattern is to follow. Everything is shown...no guessing. All you need do is read and follow along.   Please help me spread the word to all of your quilting friends too.  Oh, I'm so excited...this has been a long, long time coming!

Drawing Anyone?

We have not had a drawing for a prize in a little while...so, to celebrate my return home today (sometime later on)...here are two patterns for you! One drawing...for both patterns. I'll pick a random comment first thing Monday morning, and try to contact you...if I can get an email to you...you have to just let me know where to mail them. Just leave a comment...that's all...easy peasy! First pattern is a lovely Christmas Stocking...monograms and holly..and the stocking is large...

 ...plenty of apples and oranges....or lumps of coal will fit in here!

 Next, a cute little pattern for a penny rug...

...done in wools traditionally...these also look sweet in felts...siting on a little table. Or even under the pet bowls! Seriously...I would so put one there if I had one. Hey, why don't I keep this and do it for Buddy! No, too late...I'm gonna keep my word and let y'all have all the fun.    Edited at 12:09 on Monday, 15 October: FINALLY... WE HAVE A WINNER! After randomly drawing three other numbers...and sending emails...(more than once) for two of the ladies...without response after a week. And the first number drawn...didn't have an email on her profile...so I could not even send a note of winning. The final winner is Pam! And, I'm glad to see her win something...as she is a close friend that always comments on the drawings...and I never have drawn her number. So, today as her lucky day!!

Alphabet Soup Blocks...

Working today on a set of Alphabet Soup blocks. These are fusible applique letters in golden brown batik, with spicy mustard colored stem stitch embroidered around the edge. I'm almost finished with this first stage...next comes the embroidery of the vines and flowers. Then, assembly of the quilt top...
BTW, thanks to everyone for such a warm welcome to this new pattern; I hope you enjoy stitching the blocks....and that you'll share a photo when your version is completed. Hugs!

Alphabet Soup - Pattern Now Available!

I've been working on some embroidery designs for a while, took me longer than I thought it would...but, now...finally...they are ready! And, I'm very pleased with the final pattern! The little quilt is 30 x 30 and uses twelve letters. However, all 26 letters of the English alphabet are included within the pattern...so you can pick and choose.

  Can't choose? That's okay...just use them all and enlarge the quilt! Each design fits nicely in the center of a 6 1/2 inch fabric square. Or, just enlarge or reduce and use the designs for other projects... there are endless possibilities! Just ask my muse!   The designs can be stitched fast by using simple open style stitches like these...

  Or, use fabric for the letter...and closed style stitches like these...

...(pay no attention to the fact that I forgot to stitch two of the French Knots before taking this photo...geez!) If you choose to use applique fabric as your method...you could... Blanket stitch the edge of the fusible letters...

or, use needle-turn applique methods... or, silk ribbon florals w/wool crewel embroidery... or, gold work...see, my muse is still thinking!   The color palette is dependent on your choice of fabrics...

  The pattern can be ordered in my Etsy Shoppe now!

Easy Baby Slippers

 Aren't these the cutest! They are also quick and easy...and the pattern is free at New Conceptions. Thanks to the ladies on my HGTV Message Board, Quilting and Needlework for posting a link for me to find! The pattern comes in sizes 0-3 months and 3-6 months...both in the same pdf file you can download. Here's how I made my little pair. First, I cut out the pattern pieces and glued them to cardboard (they last longer that way)...and I traced around them directly to the fabric. Then I stitched a wrap rose to the toe of each shoe.

Folded the heal piece over and stitched a seam about 1/2 inch from the folded edge to hold the elastic. Inserted the elastic and pinned.

Next, I stitched the edge of the elastic down and trimmed.

Then, I pinned one side of the heal to the outer toe piece.

And, pinned the other side too (hard to tell ...aren't you glad I showed you a photo of the first side pinned too!)

Pinned the inside toe piece on top...and now let's sew! BTW, I kept removing and re-inserting the pins as I added layers...so no sewing has been done yet. Here we go...sew straight across this pinned edge...about 1/4 inch from the edge.

Here's that seam sewn...and then the shoe turned so the entire top can be recognized.

Fold the shoe top and the sole in half lenghwise and mark the toe and heal centers with pins. Working on the underside of the shoe (see no flowers showing).

Match these pieces up at the pin marks...and pin all the way around.

Sew completely around...and then serge or zigzag the edges.Then trim the excess off...see my little pile of "stuff" that I cut off the shoe on the right?

Lastly, turn the shoes right side out...and you're done!